Halima Hersi straightens a rack of scarves Tuesday at her shop, House of Modesty, in the Auburn Mall. Hersi says she has sold several items to non-Muslims in addition to her Muslim clientele. “I consider that a big win!” she said. Andree Kehn/Sun Journal
Two new stores have opened in the Auburn Mall in the last week and the House of Modesty is our first stop. Catering to women for now, owner Halima Hersi plans to expand her line of modest dresses and skirts to add men’s clothing and eventually children’s clothing.
There are hijab’s and abayas for Muslim women and girls, or anyone. Abayas are traditional loose-fitting outer garments that cover the whole body, except for the face, hands and feet. Hersi said she is appealing to Muslin women but wants people from all walks of life to come in and check out her clothing lines, which she plans to add to in the coming weeks and months, starting with accessories like handbags and perfumes.
Hersi and her family moved to Lewiston in 2006 from Georgia and said she comes from a family of entrepreneurs. She graduated from Lewiston High School and Central Maine Community College. She has been involved in teaching English as a second language and said she wanted to locate outside the Somali community focus on Lisbon Street to broaden the appeal of her line of modest clothing and said she has already seen a lot of interest.
Prices range from $11 to $100 but will fluctuate as new clothing comes in and Hersi said she plans to order new and different merchandise as sales pick up.
The store opened Aug. 1 and plans to stay open every day through August and Hersi said she will adjust her hours slightly in the fall. For now, House of Modesty is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
You can find House of Modesty on Instagram, Instagram.com/houseofmodesty.
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Fluff ME children’s craft shop also opens in Auburn Mall
Fluff ME has opened in the Auburn Mall offering a plush friend building experience for kids of all ages. Submitted photo
The owners of Family Time Dine and Play at the Auburn Mall have opened another business in the mall — Fluff ME. Jeff Mitchell describes it as an affordable alternative to Build-A-Bear Workshop. It’s aimed at children 5 years and older, but Mitchell said some adults are just as into critters as the kids.
For $18, kids can stuff their own plush from a stock of 40 different critters or from another line of toys made from recycled materials. There are outfits for the fluff characters at an additional cost and the store carries other products like Squishmallow plush toys, which are all the rage in certain age groups.
Fluff ME is just getting started and the hours of operation are currently Thursdays and Fridays 12-7 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.-7 p.m. and Sunday 12-5 p.m.
Mitchell said they plan to extend their hours during school winter break and around holidays.
El Pochos Mexican Grill is moving to downtown Lewiston
Seven years after opening El Pochos Mexican Grill inside the Coast to Coast gas station at 990 Lisbon St., the owners have decided to move to downtown Lewiston. In a tease post on social media July 30, El Pochos offered two photos of the new location — the former Boba at 97 Lisbon St. — with renovation work underway.
The popular Mexican restaurant is small, and the owners have considered at least one other downtown property in the last year on Park Street. But that deal did not materialize.
It’s unclear when the move will take place and owners Todd and Yolanda MacWhinnie and partner Jose Mata remain tightlipped about details of the move and did not return emails or messages from The Buzz asking for information.
Responding to a question on El Pochos Facebook page about when they will open, El Pochos responded: “not sure yet still have lots to do.”
Boba closed last December and was a working restaurant, so most of the infrastructure should be in place and operational.
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen coming to Lewiston
A Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen is planned for 841 Lisbon St., Lewiston. Submitted photo
If you love that chicken from Popeyes, the countdown is on. The city of Lewiston approved a permit by Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen to construct a brand-new quick serve restaurant at 841 Lisbon St., in the Gendron Center.
It will be the first Popeyes in the Lewiston and Auburn market, with existing locations in Kennebunkport, West Gardiner and South Portland, according to the Popeyes corporate website.
The chain was started 47 years ago in New Orleans, Louisiana, and is famous for its fried chicken, biscuits and sweet iced tea. The company is owned by Toronto-based Restaurant Brands International, which also owns Burger King, Tim Hortons and Firehouse Subs. There are more than 2,700 Popeyes in the United States and around the world.
Given construction and permitting times, it will likely be at least one year before the new Popeyes is ready to open.
The Buzz offers quick hits about trending area business happenings. Have a Buzzable tip? Contact business writer Christopher Wheelock at 689-2817 or cwheelock@sunjournal.com
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